Apr 16, 2026 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
14
The first edition of Doni's I Marmi, with manuscript binder's waste
Property sold to benefit Albertus Magnus High School
DONI, [ANTON FRANCESCO]
I Marmi del Doni. Venice: Francesco Marcolini, 1552. Contemporary vellum with manuscript spine title, manuscript waste sewing guards, 8 x 6 1/4 inches (20 x 16 cm). Collation: 4º: A–X4 Aa–Pp4 a4 (lacking separate title page a1) B–X4 AA–MM4; 259 leaves; woodcut ornaments and illustrations throughout. Binding quite worn, with a large stain to the upper cover and a lengthy tear along the fore-edge of the lower cover with some loss; evidence of biopredation. The cover has detached from the spine, allowing a view into the structure of the binding. Lacking leaf a1, the separate title page to the book's third section. Old paper repair to leaf MM4. Title page and final few leaves soiled; else internally clean.
First edition of Doni's I Marmi, an eccentric book comprising a series of imaginary dialogues involving over 100 different characters, some real, some fictional, who are portrayed conversing on the marble steps (I marmi) of the Duomo in Florence on a variety of subjects. Doni wrote much of I marmi in the middle of Marcolini's print shop, handing the compositor his copy as he wrote it, and illustrating the book almost at random with woodblocks from his own collection and from Marcolini's stock.
Sold for $608
Estimated at $500 - $800
Includes Buyer's Premium
Property sold to benefit Albertus Magnus High School
DONI, [ANTON FRANCESCO]
I Marmi del Doni. Venice: Francesco Marcolini, 1552. Contemporary vellum with manuscript spine title, manuscript waste sewing guards, 8 x 6 1/4 inches (20 x 16 cm). Collation: 4º: A–X4 Aa–Pp4 a4 (lacking separate title page a1) B–X4 AA–MM4; 259 leaves; woodcut ornaments and illustrations throughout. Binding quite worn, with a large stain to the upper cover and a lengthy tear along the fore-edge of the lower cover with some loss; evidence of biopredation. The cover has detached from the spine, allowing a view into the structure of the binding. Lacking leaf a1, the separate title page to the book's third section. Old paper repair to leaf MM4. Title page and final few leaves soiled; else internally clean.
First edition of Doni's I Marmi, an eccentric book comprising a series of imaginary dialogues involving over 100 different characters, some real, some fictional, who are portrayed conversing on the marble steps (I marmi) of the Duomo in Florence on a variety of subjects. Doni wrote much of I marmi in the middle of Marcolini's print shop, handing the compositor his copy as he wrote it, and illustrating the book almost at random with woodblocks from his own collection and from Marcolini's stock.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Apr 16, 2026
-
Successful Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 16, 2026 Surpasses Expectations
-
Thomas Jefferson Letter Commenting on Toussaint Louverture Achieves $32,000
-
Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
-
We Invite You to Contact Us for Complimentary Auction Estimates of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY – Doyle's auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 16, 2026 saw international competition drive strong results throughout the sale and a total that surpassed expectations.
Thomas Jefferson Letter on Toussaint Louverture
Highlighting the sale was a fascinating 1802 letter from Thomas Jefferson as president to Maryland Governor John Francis Mercer that achieved a strong $32,000. The remarkable letter captures a rare, candid moment in which Jefferson assesses, with striking clarity, the arrest of Toussaint Louverture, a leader of the Haitian Revolution, by French General Charles LeClerc, Napoleon’s brother-in-law. Jefferson perceptively warned that LeClerc’s actions would erode trust and likely spark further racial conflict—an insight that proved remarkably accurate. Beyond its sharp political foresight, the letter reflects the broader anxiety the Haitian Revolution provoked in the United States, which contributed to decades of diplomatic isolation of Haiti.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
